While working in the neonatal intensive care unit,a respiratory therapist notices that a baby with an apnea monitor is not breathing,but the apnea alarm is not ringing.Which of the following might cause this failure?
1)Tachypnea
2)Bradycardia
3)Excessive movement
4)Upper airway obstruction
A) 1 and 2
B) 2 and 4
C) 1 and 3
D) 3 and 4

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bradycardia and upper airway obstruction can cause apnea monitors to fail to signal apnea,because with bradycardia,cardiac oscillations and intrathoracic blood-volume changes cause an increase in impedance,which is sensed as part of the respiratory cycle.Continued respiratory efforts in the presence of upper airway obstruction are sensed as normal respiratory efforts.

While Working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,a Respiratory Therapist